Bundle binding and tying machine



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G. D. PARKER BUNDLE BINDING AND TYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 20, 1926 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 MTOIMEYS Patented Feb. 20, 1940 BUNDLE BINDING AND 'IYING MACHINE George B. Parker,

Riverside,

CallL; Donald Parker and Citizens National Trust and Savings Bank of Riverside, a national banking association, executors of said George D. Parker, de-

ceased,

asaignora to Wire Tie Machinery Company, a corporation of California Application January 20, 1926, Serial No. 82,493

28 Claims.

This invention relates to a bundle tying machine of that class in which a wire is secured taut about a bundle which may consist of a number of articles of like kind assembled toi gether, a box, or any kind of a package or bundle of limited dimensions which it is desired to bind together with a wire. More particularly,

the invention relates to a machine of this character whichforms a flat knot of wire against one of the sides of the bundle, thus eliminating undesirable projecting wire ends and the necessity of tucking such ends under the taut wire on the bundle. Generally speaking, the invention comprises a ring for passing the wire around a bundle, wire tensioning means, means for holding the bundle while the binding and tying operation is performed, and means for twisting and cutting the wire. The wire passing ring is reversible after each operation, and slack take-up means are provided to keep the wire taut. The several parts are arranged to function automatically at the proper times and are driven by a motor. in the nature of an improvement over the 5 Bundle binding and tying machine described and claimed in my Patent No. 1,875,260, dated Aug. 30, 1932, which functions more or less in a similar manner, and has for its object the provision of a simpler and more efficient machine. .0 An object of the invention is to provide an improved clutching mechanism to connect the motor with the machine, which is automatically disconnected when a cycle of operations is completed, having means operable from either side of the machine, and having a novel brake associated with the driven shaft controlled by the clutch connecting means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved wire tensioning device which may ,0 be readily adjusted by a simple operation and without the necessity of removing any parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means associated with the tensioning means for preventing the knotting of the .5 wire between said device and the supply coil of wire.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved slack take-up device for keeping the wire taut.

0 Another object of the invention is to provide an improved bundle holding device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simpler and improved means for driving and reversing the ring which carries the wire around "5 the bundle.

The present invention is Another object of the invention is to provide a simpler and improved mechanism for operating the wire twisting device.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and simpler wire cutter combined with a tie ejector from the twisting device.

Another object of the invention is to provide simpler and improved means for driving at the proper times the wire gripping, twisting, cutting and tie ejecting devices. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide a simpler and more eflicient yielding connection between the wire gripping, twisting, cutting and tie ejecting devices and the driving shaft therefore arranged to disconnect the same if for any ll reason the wire should become jammed in the former, so as to avoid damage thereto.

The invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which with the foregoing, will be set forth at length in the following description where I shall outline in full that form of my invention which I have selected for illus-. tration in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. In said drawings I have shown one form of bundle binding and tying machine embodying my invention, but it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to such form, since the invention, as set forth in the claims, may be embodied in a plurality of forms. 3

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation. of a bundle binding and tying machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with parts shown in elevation illustrating the motor clutch connection and brake on the driven shaft.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 with parts shown in elevation 11- lustrating the compressing operating means and 40 the cutter mechanism and the wire gripping and twisting mechanism respectively.

Fig. 6 is a right end view of Fig. 5, illustrating in dotted lines the yielding connection between the driving shaft and driven elements.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the cams and associated parts for controlling the wire gripping.twistingandcuttingmeans.takenontha line 1-1 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of Flg. "I as seen from the right.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section, with parts in elevation, taken on the line -3 of Fig. 10, showing the wire gripping, twisting, cutting and ejecting mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line ll-llv Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line of Fig. 12 of one of the cutter and wire elector devices.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the wire cutter and ejector mechanism.

Fig. 13 is an end view of Fig. 12 as seen from the right.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail view of the brake mechanism of the driven shaft to which the motor is connected.

Fig. 15 is an end view of the wire twisting device. V

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the device shown in 'Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of a pper dog. Fig. 18 is a top view of the gripper dog.

Fig. 19 is a section taken on the line i|9-'|8 of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged detail view of the tensioning device.

Fig. 21 is a plan view of a portion of Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a section taken on the line' 22--22 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 23 is a sectional view illustrating the means for supporting the presser foot on the vertical rod, taken on the line 23-23 of Fig. 24.

Fig. 24 is a section with parts shown in elevation taken on the line 24'24 of Fig. 23..

Fig. 25 is an enlarged detail view illustrating means for operating-the twisting device, and

Fig. 26 is a plan view of mechanism shown in Fig. 25 as viewed along the line 26-26 of Fig. 25.

The machine embodying my invention comprises a frame i which is suitably constructed to support the various instrumentalities entering into the construction of the machine. This.

frame is preferably provided with a wall 3 between the side walls 5 and 6 as shown in Fig, 2. The top 1 is provided with a series of rollers 9 to facilitate the movement of the bundles into and" out of the machine.

Q after described. This motoris connected by Mounted on the base 2 of the frame is a motor ID for driving the several mechanisms herein means of a chain with a sprocket wheel '12 formedinte'gral with a clutch member I13 which is loosely mounted on a'shaft l4, which shaft is suitably journalled in thewalls 5 and v8. A coopcrating clutch member-i5, hz'avingja' grooveii is mounted on the shaft and arranged for axial movement thereon whereby it may be shifted into ,or out of engagementwith the part l3, in a manner-readily understood. In Fig. "2, the clutch parts i3 and |5fare shown in their disengaged positions. The clutch part 5'is shifted'by means. of a forked lever 1, the forks of/which engage the groove '|6,,as best shown in Fig; 32f The'lever 11 is pivoted at' an intermediate point on a shaft i8 positioned at right angles to'the shaft l4; and v is operated by. a 091? pedal l9. The pedal Isis fixed at right angles'on one end of a shaft 20 a which is iournalled in suitable bearings- 2|,-22..

The opposite end of the shaft as has M thereon a lever 23 which is connected by a link 24 with the end of the lever l1. From this it will be. seen that when the pedal I! is pressed downward ly, the shaft 26 is rotated counter-clockwise" when" viewed from the pedal end, and by means of lever 23, link 24 and lever l1, the clutchpart ll is moved into engagement with clutch part, II.

from the machine, so that the machine may be stopped without stopping the motor.

As shown in Fig. 2, the foot pedal It extends through the wall 5 on one side of the machine. In order to enable the motor driving connection to be controlled from either side of the machine. a similar foot pedal 25 is provided on the opposite side of the machine, which extends through the wall 6. This pedal is also ilxed at right angles on one end of a shaft 21 which is journalled in suitable bearings ;28, 29. At its opposite end, the shaft 21 has fixed thereon a lever 30 which is connected by means of a link 3| which is connected with lever H at a point on the opposite side of pivot 18 from that to which the. link 24 is connected. From this it is apparent that the clutch part |5 may be shifted axially to engage the clutch part l3 by means of either of the pedals I! or 25.

In order to prevent theundesired rotation of shaft M in either direction except at such times when it is being driven by the motor, a brake -which is provided with a spring 39 positioned between the car 31 and nut 40 which acts to derstood. The opposite end of the brake shoe 34 is connected with one end' of a link 4|, the other end of which link is pivoted in a shaft. 42

supported on the wall 8. Resilient means, comprising a spring 43 act on the link 4| urging the shoe 34 against the lining 33. The opposite end of brake shoe 35 is pivotally' connected with link 4] at a point between its fulcrum 42 and the point at which spring 43 acts. Preferably this connection is by means of a pin 44 adapted to move Lin a slot 45 in the link 4|. The link 4| is provided with a projection adapted to be engaged by a cam v41 fixed on the shaft 21. From the fore- 'going,'it-wil1 be seen that the brake shoes 34 and 35 normally tightly engage the brake lining 33. through the action of springs 39 and 43 and prevent the rotation-of shaft, however when either of the pedals I! or 25 are depressed so as to connect the motor, .throughxthe mechanism hereinbefore described, the shaft ,21 is rotated. which brings cam 41 into engagement with projection 46, thereby moving the link 4| upwardly against the spring 43, which separates'the brake shoes and removes the brake from the shaft l4.

Assuming that the bundle has beenplaced on :the rollers 9 and the motor III .has been'con nected with shaft: |4 by'the .clutch'mechanism.

tighten the brake shoes in a manner readily unaromas described, which shaft is now also free of the action of the brake described, the first operation of the machine is to hold the bundle during the timethatthewireisbeingpassedaroundthe bundle and being tied, so that the bundle will be tied while held in one position. The means for compressing the bundle will therefore now be described, reference being made to Figs. 1, 3, 23 and 24. Above the table I, the frame i is provided with parallel vertical walls 88, 48, between which the rollers 8 are positioned as shown in Fig. 1.

Slidably mounted in the frame is a vertically disposed rod 88 which extends upward above the hundle and which is pulled down by the heavy coiled spring 8i, anchored at its lower end to the frame and connected at its upper end to the head 82 on the rod. The rod is urged downward and its upward movement is controlled by a cam 88 fixed on a shaft 88. A lever 88, fulcrumed on a shaft 88, is connected at its free end by means of a link 81- with the lower end of the rod 88. This lever is provided with a roller II in engagement with cam 88, which is formed with two similar elevations 88, 88 separated 180 degrees. The action of spring 8| urges the rod 88 downwardly and the roller 88 against the cam 88, and the rod 88 is moved upwardly when the roller engages elevations 88 and 88. The downward movement of the rod 88 causes the bundle to be held and the upward movement thereof causes it to be released and the cam 88 is so arranged that the bundle is held during the binding and tying operations. and when these operations are completed, the pressure on the bundle is released at which time the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3 which is also the normal position when the machine is stopped. The cam 88 is driven by shaft ll through gears 8| to 88, the latter gear also being fixed on shaft 88. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the gear 82 is fixed on a shaft 82', on which the gear 88 is also fixed, and the gear 84 is fixed on a shaft 88' on which the gear 88 is also fixed.

Adjustably secured to the vertically movable rod 80, which is preferably square in cross-section, is a presser foot 81, overlying the rollers 8 and between the walls 88, 88, see Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 23 and 24, the foot 81 is formed with a slot 88 adapted to receive the rod 58, the rod being held in the slot by lugs 88, 18. These lugs are secured between the walls ll, 12 by bolts I3 and are arranged to support slidably the foot 81 on the rod 88. Clamping jaws l4, 18 are pivotally supported on the foot 81 between the lugs 88, 18 andare normally urged into engagement with the rod 58 by a spring 18 so as to rigidly support the foot on the rod. By compressing the spring 18, the Jaws 14, 18 are disengaged from the rod 58 and the presser foot 81 may be adjusted to various positions thereon to fit the particular size of bundles being operated upon.

The bundle being held by the presser foot 81, the next operation of the machine is to pass the wire around the bundle under tension, so that portions of the wire are in overlapping arrangement, after which the overlapping portions are twisted together to tie the wire around the bundle. The means for passing the wire 'I'l around the bundle comprises a ring 18 rotatably mounted in the frame I and surrounding that portion of the table which supports the bundle, namely, the rollers 8 and the vertical walls 88 and 48, between which the bundle is positioned, as shown in Fig. 1. The ring 18 is mounted on a plurality of spaced rollers 18, iournalled on studs 3 secured to the frame, so that the ring may readily be rotated about its axis. Mounted on the ring are a plurality of grooved rollers 88 over which the wire passes. One end of the wire is held fixed by a gripper, fully described hereinafter, so that as the ring rotates, the wire feeds over the rollers 88 and is passed around the bundle. The ring, in each cycle of operation, rotates more than one revolution to bring portions of the wire surrounding the bundle into overlapping position. The ring is similar to that shown in my copending application.

The wire I1 is taken from a coil arranged in any suitable location, passes through a tensioning device 8|, thence through a slack take-up device which will be hereinafter dwcribed, and thence passes to the rollers 88 on the ring 18 as the ring rotates.

The tensioning device 8|, see Figs. 20 and 21, comprises a frame 82 having a plurality of parallel spaced grooved rollers 83-88 mounted thereon. Arranged intermediate the rollers 88 and 84, and 88 and 85, are grooved rollers 88 and 81 which are journalled on a member 88 which is pivotally connected at one end to the frame 82 at 88 as shown in Fig. 21, and which is provided at its opposite end with a handle 88. The wire enters the tensioning device through a tubular guide 8i which is positioned on the entrance end of the frame 82 adjacent the roller 83. At its free end, the inner edge of the guide 8| is rounded or smoothly beveled as shown at 82 to facilitate the passage of the wire therethrough. The guide is also positioned to point toward the coil fromwhich the wire is being unwound. In the present instance it points downwardly which is the de-, sired position where the wire coil is located at some point below the same and at the right of the machine as seen in Fig. 1. When wire is unwound from a coil it frequently forms a loop, and unless removed, when the wire is drawn tight, will often cause the wire to break. When such loops form, I have found in practice that by means of the tubular guide 8|, the same are removed. The wire enters the tensioning device through the guide 8| and passes successively over and under the rollers 83, 88, 84, 81 and 88. It will be noted that the wire, while traveling through the tensioning device lies in a single.

plane, that is no turning of the wire obtains. Also, the portion of the wire leaving the tensioning device lies in the same plane as that portion entering the tensioning device to preclude formation of kinks and twists. The elongated wire straightening tube 8| also lies in the plane of the wire being tensioned and is disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the direction of travel of the wire throughthe tensioning device. As a result, sharp turning of the wire before entering the tensioning device is avoided, which sharp turning if occurring might result in the formation of kinks that might cause snapping or breaking of the wire in the tensioning device.

By varying the position of rollers 88 and 81, the amount of fiexure of the wire as it passes through the tensioning device may be controlled and consequently the tension of the wire may be controlled. The position of rollers 88 and 81 may be varied by grasping the handle 88 and moving the member 88 about its pivot 88. The member 88 is held in its adjusted position by means of the wing nut 93 and bolt 84. This arrangement permits the ready adjustment of the tension of the wire, as the same may be accomplished by simply moving the part 88 to TIS the desired tensioning position by means of handle 90 and securing the same in such position by means of the nut 93. The tension is usually maintained constant for any one size of wire but may be adjusted for different sizes of wire or for bundles of a different nature. As shown in Fig. l, the tensioning device 8| is preferably supported on a raised platform 95 on one end of the table 'I.

From the tensioning device 8|, the wire passes a plurality'of times over the grooved rollers 96, 91, see Fig. 1. A plurality of rollers 96 are journaled in axial alinement in the frame I and are independently rotatable while a similar plurality of independently rotatable rollers 91 are journaled in axial alinement on one end of a lever 96, which is pivoted ona bolt 99 secured to the frame. A spiral spring I00, secured at one end about the bolt 99, and at its opposite end tothe lever 99, at a point IOI between the bolt 99 and the rollers 91, continuously presses the lever 98 downwardly. The spring I thus maintains the wire taut on the ring 18 during the operation of the machine. In such operation, the direction of rotation of the ring is reversed, which feature is described and claimed in my copending application, and this reversal tends to produce slack in the wire on the ring, and when this occurs, the spring moves the rollers 91 downward, taking up the slack and maintaining the wire taut. A spring I02, suitably fixed on the frame, serves as a shock absorber to cushion an excessive downward movement of the lever 98, and a similar spring I03,in line with an arm I04 of the lever 96, serves the same purpose with respect to the V upward movement of the lever.

As has been stated before, the ring I8 is rotatable in one direction to complete a cycle of operation, and is then rotatable in the opposite direction to complete another cycle of operation. I shall now describe the means for driving and reversing the direction of rotation of the ring, referring to Figs. 3 and 4.

The motor I0 is operatively connected with shaft I4 in the manner hereinbefore described on which gear 6I is fixed, and the gear 66 fixed on the shaft 54, (Fig. 4) is driven from gear H in one direction through a train of gears comprising gears 62 to 65. The gear 66, as shown in Fig. 4, is connected by means of a pitman 204 with a gear sector I05, which is pivoted on a shaft I06 in the frame, whereby the gear sector I is rocked back and forth'when the gear 66 rotates. The gear sector I05 meshes with a gear I01 on a shaft I00 which carries a gear I09. As shown in Fig. 3 the gear I09 meshes with a gear IIO on a shaft III which carries a gear 2.. As shown in Fig. l, the gear I I2 meshes with a gear I I3 on the periphery of the ring I9. It is of course understood that the several gear shafts referred to are suitably journalled in the frame of the machine. From the foregoing it is clear that the ring I9 is first rotated in one direction and then in the opposite direction. The gear ratio is such that the ring I9 is rotated a complete revolution plus a fraction of a revolution so as to bring the wire in overlapping arrangement in th twisting device.

The wire twisting and cutting mechanism is inclosed in a housing II4 positioned on the table I with its front wall II5 flush with the vertical wall 46, as shown in Fig. 1. The twisting mechanism is driven by a shaft H6 and the cutting mechanism is driven by a shaft I". These two shafts are driven by means best shown in Figs. 5

to 8 and 22, which will now be described. The shafts H6 and ,I I! are respectively provided with bevel gears H9 and H9 which respectively mesh with bevel gears I20 and I2I, loosely mounted on the shaft 56, as shown in Fig. 5. The driving connection between the shaft 56 and the gears I20 and I 2| is similar and a description of the latter will therefore be'sufllcient. If, for any reason the wire should become jammed in the twister or cuting mechanism, it is desirable to stop the operation of the same to avoid damage to the mechanism. Since such mechanism is driven from shaft 56, as will later appear, a yielding connection is provided between the shaft 56 and each of the gears I20 and I2 I, which normally connects the gears with the shaft, but which disconnects the same when unusual strains are placed on either of shafts H6, III, by reason of the wire jamming.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 22, the gear I2I is provided with a cylindrical flange I22 adapted to fit within a drum I23 secured to shaft 56. The drum I23 is provided with a depression I24 on its inner periphery adapted to receive a roller I25. The roller I25 is journalied with its axis parallel to the axis of shaft 56 in the free end of a lever I26, as clearly shown in Fig. 22. The lever is pivotally mounted on the drum I22 in any suitable manner, such as being formed with a rounded end I21 adapted to fit in a corresponding slot cut out so as to permit free movement of the lever. The roller I25 is urged into depression I24 by a strong spring I28, which is seated on a projection I29 provided on flange I22 and acts against the free end of the lever I26 in a manner readily understood. Thus the shaft 56 is normally connected with gear I2I however, when an undue strain is placed on the shaft II6, the spring I28 yields, and drum I23 idly rotates about the drum I22. As above indicated, the same mechanism is provided between the shaft 56 and gear I20;

The shaft 56 is driven in one direction from the shaft 54, however, this driving is intermittent and at such times only as when the twister and cutting devices are to be actuated. This intermittent driving is accomplished by the mechanism shown in Figs. '7 and 8. Secured to the shaft 56 are two cross-arms I30, I3I, which are arranged at right angles to each other. Journall'ed in opposite ends of cross-arm I30 are rollers I32, I33. Similar rollers I34, I35 are provided for cross-arm I3I. Two cams I36, I31 are keyed to shaft 54 and secured together by bolts I38. Rollers I32, I33 and I34, I35 lie in the plane of cams I36 and I31 respectively. These cams are provided with elevations and depressions into which the rollers associated with the shaft 56 pass. The cam I36 is provided with depressions I38, I39 separated 180 which are respectively immediately followed by elevated portions I40, MI. The cam I3! is provided with similar elevated portions I42, I43 and depressions I44, I45. The two cams are so positioned that the depressions of one are alongside the elevated portions of the other. Thus when the shaft 54 rotates clockwise as seen in Fig. 8, the roller I32. is being raised by the elevated portion I40 and the roller I35 is entering the depression I44, thereby rotating the shaft 56 counter-clockwise. After the rollers leave the respective depressions and raised portions, they pass over the concentric portions of the cams at which times the shaft 56 is stationary. From the foregoing it will be'seen that the shaft 56 is intermittently rotated twice during each rotation of the shaft 54. As shown in Fig. 5, the cross-arm Ill is preferably formed integral with the corresponding drum I28 for gear I2I The twisting and cutting mechanism will now be described in connection with Figs. 9 to 19 and 25 and 26. The housing III for this mechanism preferably comprises two units I46, I41, see Fig. 9, which are secured together at their rear sides by a bolt I48, and formed with a space I48 between the same in which the ring 18 rotates. The wire twisting actuating means and the gripping devices are housed in the unit I and the wire cutting and expelling device is housed in the unit I41. The front wall of the housing H4 is provided with a slot I50, which extends rearwardly to the space I40 and is 10- csted between the units I46 and I41. This slot also extends vertically through the front wall of housing H4 in the plane of the wire carried by ring 18, to permit the wire to encircle the bundle. The means for twisting the overlapping portions of the wire together is located in the slot and will hereafter be described. Disposed in the unit I46 with their heads facing the slot I58 are two similar gripper dogs, which I shall refer to as upper and lower dogs, one of which. the upper dog I5I, is shown in Fig. 9. These dogs are spaced apart vertically and lie on opposite sides vertically of the twisting device. As best shown in Figs. 17 to 19, each dog has an overhanging head I52 which is beveled or tapered at its outer end to facilitate the movement of the wire projection I53 between which and the body of the dog the wire is positioned. The head I52 of the dog overlies a clamping block I54 and the wire is clamped between the head and the block. The dog normally lies in the position shown in Fig. 9. Means are provided for moving the dog to move the head into the slot I so that the wire being passed therethrough is intercepted by the head and is moved into position under the head so that it is clamped as the head recedes to its normal position. The two clamping dogs are operated at different times. Assuming that the ring 18 is rotating in a clockwise direction, the end of the wire 11 is clamped by the lower dog. As the ring rotates, the wire passes upward through slot I50, around the bundle and again upward into the slot I50 and extends past the upper clamping dog. The upper dog is projected during the time that the wire is moving through the slot the second time and is retracted after the wire has assumed a vertical position in the slot, at which time the wire will underlie the head of the dog. The retraction of the upper dog will then clamp the other end of the wire. The wire is then twisted and cut off below the upper dog, another bundle is placed in position and the ring is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to pass the wire around the positioned bundle. In thus reversing its direction of rotation, the wire is bent around the projection I53 under the head of the upper dog, thus greatly increasing the grip of the dog on the wire. The wire is carried around by the ring in a counter-clockwise direction and extends downward through the slot I50, around the bundle and again downward through the slot so that there are overlapping portions thereof in the slot. The lower dog then operates to grip the downwardly extending portion of the wire so that the wire encircling the bundle is gripped on opposite sides of the twisting device. The twisting device is then operated, the wire cut oi! between the dogs and the twisting device and the ring again rotated in a clockwise direction to carry the wire around the bundle in such direction. Such reversal of movement of the ring after completion of each tying operation bends the wire around the projection III of the gripping dog so that the wire is very firmly held by the dog, permitting a maximum of tension to be placed in the wire. The movement of the upper and lower gripper dogs I 5| is controlled by cams I55 and I55 secured to the vertically disposed shaft II6, best shown in Fig. 10. This shaft is provided with the bevel gear III, the operation whereof has previously been described. Engaging each cam I55, I56, is a roller I51, carried by a lever I58 iulcrumed on the shaft I58. The free end or the lever is connected to the gripper dog through heavy cushion springs I50, I5I, as shown in Fig. 9, the purpose of the springs being to compensate for different thicknesses of wire. The lever I58 is normally pulled forward tending to project the head of the gripper dog into the slot, by a coiled spring I52, and the position of the head is controlled by the cam. The cam is shaped to permit the head to move outward slightly to release the small bend of wire held therein, after the operation of the cutter, but without permitting the head to enter the slot and the cam is provided with a further depression which permits the head to extend outward into the slot. When the roller I51 is in contact with the high part of the cam, the head is pulled backward out of the slot, tightly to grip the wire. Grippers of the same character are shown in my copending application.

Motion is also transmitted from the shaft II5 to the wire twisting device which, in the present instance, comprises a slotted cylindrical member I53, by means of a cam I64 on said shaft and having diametrically opposed cam portions as can be seen in Figs. 9 and 25. This cam engages a roller I55, journalled in the end of a crank arm I carried on a shaft I61, as shown in Fig. 25. The shaft I61 has secured thereon a gear segment or rack I68 which is in mesh with a pinion I 59 which is preferably formed integrally with the slotted twisting device I63. The position of gear segment I68 on shaft I61 may be adjusted by means of screws I 10, HI. As shown in Fig. 25, a portion of the segment I68, which surrounds the shaft I61, is out out as indicated at I 68' and a block I68" is positioned in the cut out portion. The screws I10 and HI are in threaded engagemerit in said block and extend through opposite ends of thesame so as to engage the end walls of the cut out portion. By these means the gear segment I68 may be readily adjusted on the shaft I61 so that in its retracted position, the slot 213 of the twister I63 hereinafter referred to registers with slot I50. The gear is held in its retracted position, against an adjustable stop I 61' as shown in Figs. 9 and 25, by means of a spring I12, which is secured to the wall of unit I46 and to a crank arm I13 on shaft I61. Thus during each rotation of the shaft II6, the cam I64 causes the gear I68 to move forward twice and turn the twister I63, the gear I68 being returned to its retracted position by the action of spring I12. Consequently, for each half revolution of shaft H5 and because of the diametrically opposed cam portions on cam I64, a single knotting operation is performed by one cam portion, after which operation spring I12 automatically returns gear member I65 to retracted position. Then the other or opposite cam portion perform a succeeding lmotting operation in the same manner.

The twisting device I63 is rotatable about a vertical axis which is disposed in the slot I 60, the twisting device being rotated adjacent the face of the wall I I5. Normally the twisting device is disposed in such position that the slot 213 therein opens into the slot I50 in a direction away from the face of the'wall II5. In such position the slot 213 forms a continuation of the slot I50, so that as the wire is passed through into slot I50, as it is being passed around the bundle, it is introduced into the slot 213 in the twisting device. As shown in Fig. 15, two portions of the wire are disposed in the narrow portion of the slot 213, so that as the twisting device is rotated, these portions are twisted together. The twisting device is provided on each side of the slot 213 with larger cavities I14, I15, within which the wire may twist, the width of the narrow portion of the slot being such that the twisting of the wires therein is prevented. The twisting device, the mode of its operation and the character of tie produced thereby are'similar to that shown and described and claimed in my copending application above referred to.

Means are also provided in the head for cutting off the wire between the grippers and the twisted tie, to free the tied wire from the wire of the coil. Pivoted' in the unit I41 on vertical pivots and adjacent the ends of twister I63, are cutter bars I16, I11, as shown in Fig. 12, having cutters I18, I19 at their ends, which move outward into the slot I50 at the proper time to cut the wire at the end of the tie. Since both cutters and their operating mechanism are similar, but one will be described, namely, I18, reference being made to Figs. 9 to 11. position out of the slot by a spring I80, and is provided with a roller I8I, adapted to be engaged by a cam I82 keyed on the shaft II1, the operation of which has hereinbefore been described. As shown, the cam is arranged to actuate the cutter twice during each rotation of the shaft I I1, at the proper time after the tie is formed. Manifestly, the wire encircling the box is not cut but the wire is out between the twist and the last gripper to function, so that the portion of the wire that is twisted around the bundle is cut from the wire extending around the ring 18. As soon as the cutters have operated to sever the wire by shearing with stationary cutters, not shown, the knot is ejected from the twister by the continued movement of the cutter I18. This is accomplished by the peculiar contour of cam I82, and will be readily understood by referring to Fig. 9. The cutter bar I16 is inactive while the surface I82 passes over the roller I6I. At the proper time, the surface I82" engages the roller and moves the bar I16 to press both wires positively into the twister pinion until the twisting is completed. Thereafter, the roller is engaged by an elevation I82' which advances the bar I16, so as to cut the wire and eject the knot from slot I50. Upon the completion of this operation the motor I is automatically disconnected by means of projections I84, I85, carried on the surface of cam I36, see Figs. 7 and 8, engaging a projection I86 on the clutch actuating lever I1, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby separating the clutch parts I3 and I5. Preferably the projections I84, I85 are formed on slotted plates I84, I85 respectively which are secured to the cam I36 diametrically opposite each other by the bolts I38 which extend thru the slots thereof. This slotted arrangement The bar I16 is held in its retracted permits the adjustment of the projections on the cam surface whereby the disconnecting of the motor may be properly timed in a simple manner.

In view of the foregoing detailed description of a machine embodying my invention, its operation will be readily understood from the following brief summary of the same.

The motor- I0 is started and drives the clutch part I3. Clutch part I6 is moved into engagement with part I3 by depressing either pedal I6 or 26, which operation simultaneously removes the brake described from shaft I4, and connects this shaft with the motor, which drives shaft 54 through the gear train described, on which the cam 63 is carried. At this time, the presser foot 61 is in released or upper position, and as the cam 63 rotates, it is moved to its holding or clamping position and remains there until the tying operation is completed. At the same time, the gear 66, driven by pinion 65, drives the ring 18 first in one direction, and then in the opposite direction a complete revolution plus a fraction to bring the wire in overlapping arrangement in the twisting device, the rotation of the ring passing the wire around the bundle. As above described, the wire passes from the sup,.-ly coil through a tensioning device and a slack take-up device to the ring 18, the end of the wire being held by a gripper dog II. The wire enters the slot I50, the twisting device I63, is passed around the bundle and again enters the slot and twisting device, whereupon the other of the dogs grips the wire. The twisting device is then actuated, and upon completion of the tie, the cutters I16 are actuated to cut the wire between the tie and the last gripper to function, and eject the tie from the slot after which the motor I6 is automatically disconnected. When the motor is again connected, the ring 18 rotates in the opposite direction. At this time, the end of'the wire is held by the last gripper dog to function, the wire being twisted around the projections thereof as described, and the cycle of operation is repeated. By the expression wire is meant any suitable binding strip, whether rectangular or round, or otherwise in cross section.

I claim:

1. In a bundle tying machine, a frame, a first shaft journalled therein, a clutch member loosely mounted on said shaft, 2. motor for rotating said clutch member, a cooperating clutch member slidable axially on said shaft, a pivoted lever for moving said latter clutch member axially on the shaft, a second shaft journalled on said frame positioned at right angles with said first shaft, a foot pedal extending through the side of said frame fixed on the second shaft for rotating the same, means connecting said second shaft with said lever whereby the latter clutch member is moved axially on the first shaft when the second shaft is rotated, braking means normally acting on the first shaft, and means on said second shaft adapted to release said braking means when the shaft is rotated.

2. In a bundle tying machine, a frame, a first shaft journaled therein, a clutch member loosely mounted on said shaft, a motor for rotating said clutch member, a cooperating clutch member slidable axially on said shaft, a pivoted lever for moving said latter clutch member axially on the shaft, a second shaft journalled on said frame positioned at right angles with said first shaft, a foot pedal extending through the side of said frame fixed on the second shaft for rotating the same, means connecting said second shaft with the free end of said lever, a third shaft journalled in the oppositeside of the frame parallel with said second shaft having a foot pedal fixed thereon extending through the adjacent side of the frame, and means connecting the third shaft with said lever at a point between its fulcrum and the clutch member engaged thereby, whereby rotation of either shaft causes the latter clutch member to be moved axially on the first shaft.

3. In a bundle tying machine, a frame, a shaft journalled therein, a clutch mechanism for connecting the motor with said shaft, means for operating said mechanism comprising a rotatable cam, and a brake for said shaft normally acting thereon comprising a drum fixed on said shaft, two semi-circular shoes surrounding said drum; resilient means connecting one end of a shoe with the adjacent end of the other, a pivoted lever connected with the opposite end of one shoe, resilient means acting on one side of said lever urging the connected shoe against the drum, means connecting the opposite end of the other of said shoes with said lever, and a projection on the opposite side of said lever adapted to be engaged by said cam, whereby when the cam is rotated, the lever is moved about its fulcrum to relieve the shoes from the drum.

4. In a bundle tying machine, a frame, a shaft journalled therein, a clutch mechanism for connecting the motor with said shaft, means for operating said mechanism comprising a rotatable cam, and a brake for said shaft normally acting thereon comprising a drum fixed on said shaft, two semi-circular shoes surrounding said drum, resilient means connecting one end of a shoe with the adjacent end of the other, a pivoted lever connected with the opposite end of one shoe, resilient means acting on one side of said lever urging the connected shoe against the drum, a slot in said lever intermediate its fulcrum and end, an extension on the opposite end of the other of said shoes connected with the lever in said slot, a projection on the other side of said lever adjacent its end positioned to be engaged by said cam when rotated whereby the shoes are released from the drum.

- 5. In a bundle tying machine, a frame, a rotatably mounted ring for passing a wire around a bundle, a grooved roller journalled on the frame adjacent said ring over which the wire passes to said ring, a tension device which receives the wire from a supply coil, and means for taking up slack in the wire between said tensioning means and said ring comprising a lever fulcrumed on the frame, a grooved roller journalled on the free end thereof, the wire being passed from the ten sioning device over said rollers a plurality of times to said ring, and resilient means acting upon said lever to increase the distance between the rollers,

6. In a bundle tying machine, a frame, a rotaably mounted ring for passing a wire around a bundle, a grooved roller journalled on the frame adjacent said ring over which the wire passes to said ring, a tensioning device which receives the wire from a supply coil, and means for taking up slack in the wire between said tensioning means and said ring comprising a lever fulcrumed on the frame, a grooved roller journalled on the free end thereof, the wire being passed from the tensioning device over both of said rollers a plurality of times to said ring, a spiral spring acting upon said lever to increase the distance between the rollers, and shock absorbing means for said lever comprising a foot angularly fixed to said lever adjacent its fulcrum, resilient means on the frame adapted to be engaged by said foot when the' lever moves in one direction, and resilient means on the frame adapted to be engaged by the lever at a point between its fulcrum and free end when it moves in the opposite direction.

7. In a bundle tying machine, means for bolding the bundle during the tying operation comprising a rod, means for reciprocating the rod at predetermined intervals, a presser foot on said rod adapted to engage the bundle, said foot being formed with a slot adapted to receive said rod, and means for securing the foot to said rod and adjusting the same thereon comprising a pair of gripping members pivoted in said slot, having ears extending out of the slot, and a coiled spring between said ears normally urging the gripping members into engagement with said rod.

8. In a bundle tying machine comprising a rotatably mounted ring for passing a wire around the bundle, means for alternately rotating said ring in opposite directions comprising a motor, a gear driven thereby, a gear from which the ring is rotated, a segmental gear in' mesh with the latter gear, and a pitman connecting said first mentioned gear with the segmental gear whereby the gear from which the ring is rotated is alternately rotated in opposite directions.

9. In a bundle tying machine, means for supporting the bundle, a slotted wire twisting device arranged adjacent said support with the slot opening away from the bundle, a gear on said device, and means for rotating the twisting device comprising a pivoted gear segment in mesh with the gear on said device, resilient means normally holding said segment in a retracted position on one side of the slot in said device, and a cam for rotating said segment about its pivot a part of a revolution at predetermined intervals to operate the twisting device.

10. In a bundle tying machine, a frame, means for supporting the bundle, a slotted wire twisting device arranged adjacent said support with the slot opening away from the bundle, a gear on said device, and means for rotating the twisting device comprising a shaft journalled in said frame, a gear segment on said shaft in mesh with said gear, resilient means acting on said shaft for rotating the same in one direction and normally holding said segment in a retracted position on one side of the slot in said device, a crank arm on said shaft having a roller journalled in the end thereof, and a rotatable cam in engagement with said roller for rotating said shaft in the opposite direction at predetermined intervals to operate the twisting device.

11. In a bundle tying machine, a frame adapted to hold the bundle to be tied, a slotted wall on said frame against which the bundle is placed, means for passing a wire around said bundle and through said slot, a wire twisting device in said slot, wire gripping means positioned on one side of said slot, means for operating the same, means on the same side of said slot for operating the twisting device, a driven shaft for actuating both of said operating means, wire cutting and ejecting means on the opposite side of said slot, a driven shaft for operating the same, and an in-, termittently driven shaft for driving both of said shafts.

12. In a bundle tying machine, a frame adapted to hold the bundle to be tied, a slotted wall on said frame against which the bundle is placed, means for passing a wire around said bundle and through said slot, a wire twisting device in said slot, wire gripping means positioned on one side of said slot, means for operating the same, means on the same side of said slot for operating the twisting device, a driven shaft for actuating both of said operating means, wire cutting and ejecting means on the opposite side of said slot, a driven shaft for operating the same, an intermittently driven shaft for driving both of said shafts, and means connecting said intermittently driven shaft with both'of said shafts adapted to yield and disconnect the same from either of said two shafts when a predetermined force is applied thereto.

13. In a bundle tying machine, a frame adapted to hold the bundle to be tied, a vertical slotted wall on said frame against which the bundle is placed, means for passing a wire around said bundle and through said slot, a wire twisting device in said slot, wire gripping means positioned on one side of said slot, means for operating same, means on the same side of said slot for operating the twisting device, a vertical shaft for actuating both of said operating means, a bevel gear on the lower end of said shaft, wire cutting and ejecting means on the opposite side of said slot, a vertical shaft for operating the same, a bevel gear on the lower end of the latter shaft, a horizontal shaft journalled in said frame having bevel gears in mesh with the bevel gears on said vertical shafts, and means for intermittently driving said horizontal shaft at predetermined intervals.

14. In a bundle tying machine, a frame adapted to hold the bundle to be tied, a vertical slotted wall on said frame against which the bundle is placed, means for passing a wire around said bundle and through said slot, a wire twisting device in said slot, wire gripping means positioned on one side of said slot, means for operating same, means on the same side of said slot for operating the twisting device, a vertical shaft for actuating both of said operating means, a bevel gear on the lower end of said shaft, wire cutting and ejecting means on the opposite side of said slot, a vertical shaft for operating the same, a bevel gear on the lower end of the latter shaft, a horizontal shaft journalled in said frame having bevel gears loosely mounted thereon in mesh with the bevel gears on said vertical shaft, a drum on said horizontal shaft for each bevel gear thereon, means connecting the latter gears with their respective drums adapted to yield and disconnect the same when a predetermined force is applied to either of the vertical shafts, and means for intermittently driving the horizontal shaft at predetermined intervals.

15. In a bundle tying machine comprising a rotatably mounted ring for passing a wire around the bundle, means for alternately rotating said ring in opposite directions comprising a motor, a gear continuously driven in one direction thereby, a gear from which the ring is rotated, a pivoted segmental gear in mesh with said latter gear, and a pitman connecting the first mentioned gear with the segmental gear for rocking the latter about its pivot.

16. In a bundle tying machine, a frame, a shaft journalled therein, a clutch member loosely mounted on said shaft, a motor for rotating said clutch member, a co-operating clutch member slidable axially on said shaft, means for moving the latter clutch member into engagement with the former, means for passing the wire around the bundle, means for twisting and cutting the wire including a cam driven by said motor, and stops carried by said cam for moving said clutch members out of engagement upon completio of the twisting and cutting operation. a

1'7. In a bundle tying machine, a frame, a 6 shaft joumalled therein, a clutch member loosely mounted on said shaft, 9. motor for rotating said clutch member, a co-operating clutchmember slidable axially on said shaft, means for moving the latter clutch member into engagement with the former, means for passing the wire around the bundle, means for twisting and cutting the wire including a cam driven by said motor, and means for moving said clutch members out of engagement upon completion of the twisting and 15 cutting operation comprising slotted adjustable elements secured to said cam formed with projecting stops adapted to engage the means for moving the axially slidable clutch.

18. In a bundle tying machine, means for supporting the, bundle, a slotted wire twisting device arranged adjacent said support with the slot opening away from the bundle, a gear on said device, and means for rotating the twisting device comprising a pivoted gear segment in 25 mesh with the gear on said device, means for adjusting the position of said gear segment with respect to said gear, resilient means normally holding said segment in a retracted position on one side of the slot in said device, and a cam for 30 rotating said segment about its pivot a part of a revolution at predetermined intervals to operate the twisting device.

19. In a bundle tying machine, means for supporting the bundle, a slotted wire'twisting device 5 arranged adjacent said support with the slot opening away from the bundle, a gear on said device, and means for rotating the twisting device comprising a rotatable shaft, a gear segment in mesh with the gear on said device, said seg- 4( ment being provided with a portion partly surrounding said shaft so as to leave an open space on a part of the shaft, a block within said space having screws at opposite ends whereby the segment may be secured to said shaft in adjusted positions, resilient means normally holding said segment in a retracted position on one side of the slot in said device, and a cam for rotating said shaft to operate the twisting device.

20. In a bundle tying machine, a wire twisting 5( device rotatably mounted, means for periodically rotating said device a plurality of revolutions in one direction and for immediately thereafter rotating said device a plurality of revolutions in the opposite direction. 54

21. In a bundle tying machine, a rotatable wire twisting device, means for rotating said device an odd number of half revolutions in one direction and subsequently rotating said device an odd number of half-revolutions in the opposite o1 direction.

22. In a bundle tying machine, a rotatable wire twisting device, means for rotating said device an odd number of half-revolutions plus a predetermined fraction of a revolution in one direc- 6: tion, subsequently rotating said device said predetermined fraction of a revolution in the opposite direction, and finally rotating said device an odd number of half-revolutions in'said opposite direction. 71

23. In a bundle tying machine, a rotatable wire twister to form a knot in the wire, cam means having a plurality of cam portions each of which is for rotating said twister in one direction during a single knotting operation, and spring means 71 to rotate the twister in the opposite direction after each knotting operation.

24. In a bundle tying machine, a rotatable wire twisting device to form a knot in the wire, gear teeth mounted for rotation with said device, a gear in mesh with said teeth, and a cam having a plurality of cam portions each of which is for rotating said gear to thereby provide for successive knotting operations of said device.

25.111 a bundle binding machine, a rotatable slotted wire twister to form a knot in the wire, means for overlapping strands of wire in the slot of said twister, and cam means having a plurality of cam portions each of which is for rotating said twister to provide for a knotting operation of said twister.

26. In a bundle binding machine, a rotatable slotted twister for forming a knot in the wire, means for overlapping strands of wire in the slot of said twister, cam means having a plurality of cam portions each of which is for moving the twister in one direction, and means for moving the twister in an opposite direction.

27. In a tying machine, means for efiecting encircling of a tensioned binding wire about an obiect to be bound and tied, a member having means to receive portions of said wire in one position, said member being movable to intertwist said portions into a knot and place them for discharge in another position, and cam means having a plurality of cam portions each of which is for imparting movement to said member to enable suc cessive knotting operations of said member.

28. In a tying machine, means for supporting an object to be bound and tied, means for efiecting encircling of a binding wire about the object with portions of the wire overlapping substantially parallel to the adjacent surface 01' the object, a rotatable twister adjacent the object and having a slot opening away from the object to receive the overlapped portions, and means for rotating the twister to intertwist said portions and to position said slot toward the object for discharge of the twisted portions, said latter means including a cam having a plurality of cam portions each of which is for imparting movement to said twister to enable successive twisting operations of said twister.

GEORGE D. PARKER. 25 

